HC Deb 01 August 1946 vol 426 c255W
104 and 105. Mr. J. Lewis

asked the Minister of Supply (1) the price at which penicillin is supplied by the manufacturers; and if any price agreement exists between them;

(2) which firms are engaged on the manufacture of penicillin in this country; and the output of each concern during the months of May and June.

Mr. Leonard

Glaxo Laboratories Limited, operating commercially, and Distillers Company Limited, operating a Government factory as agents for the Ministry of Supply, are the main producers of penicillin in this country. Production on a smaller scale is undertaken by Boots, Limited, Imperial Chemical Industries Limited, and Kemball Bishop and Company. The great bulk of the output of these concerns is purchased by the Ministry of Supply and it would be contrary to established practice to disclose details of the contracts. There is no price agreement among the manufacturers.

Mr. J. Lewis

asked the Minister of Supply what restrictions there now are on firms not previously engaged in the production of penicillin who now wish to do so.

Mr. Leonard

None, Sir; other than the normal requirement of compliance with the Therapeutic Substances Act if the penicillin is to be used for injection.